Vegetarian Journal's Guide to Natural Foods Restaurants in the U.S. and Canada

Symbol Key:

•• Vegan or vegetarian restaurant
§ Reviewer's choice

South Carolina

Charleston

(For restaurant listings in the surrounding areas, see North Charleston.)

Doe's Pita Plus

334 E. Bay St., , Charleston, SC 29401

(843) 577-3179

Middle Eastern. Doe's offers sandwiches made with freshly-baked pita bread and a variety of fillings, as well as salads, stuffed grape leaves, hummus, and other Middle Eastern foods. Open daily. Counter service, vegan options, take-out, $.

Raspberry's Natural Food Store

1331 Ashley River Rd., Charleston, SC 29407

(843) 556-0076

Natural foods store. Raspberry's deli serves some fish, but all of its cooked meals are vegetarian. Their menu includes two vegan soups daily, salads, sandwiches, fresh-baked breads, and vegan pastries. Organic produce is used whenever available. Open Monday through Saturday for breakfast through early dinner. Open Sunday for brunch. Counter service, vegan options, take-out, VISA/MC/DISC, $.

Columbia

Miyo's Fine Shanghai and Szechuan Cuisine

922 S. Main St., Columbia, SC 29201

(803) 779-6496

Chinese. Voted "Best of Columbia" for three consecutive years, Miyoés lets you create your own plate with choices from more than 30 kinds of fresh vegetables; dishes can be steamed with no oil, starch, and/or MSG. Or choose from vegetarian appetizers, like spring rolls and dumplings, and entrées, such as American and Chinese versions of Buddhist Delight. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, non-smoking, reservations recommended, macrobiotic options, fresh juices, wine/beer/alcohol, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC/DC, $$.

Rosewood Natural Foods Market & Deli §

2803 Rosewood Dr., Columbia, SC 29205

(803) 256-6410

Natural foods deli. Located near State Fairgrounds & Midlands Technical College, Rosewood features both a natural foods store and a deli. Their chef, who has over 20 years experience with vegetarian cooking, serves up such vegan or vegetarian options as as Seaside Cakes, Jerk Tofu, Seitan Pété, and a tofu-based cream-filled Crumb Cake or Cheesecake. They even make prepared pizzas to be baked at home. Special dietary needs are readily accommodated. Open Monday through Saturday for three meals. Open Sunday for lunch and early dinner. Deli-style, macrobiotic/vegan options, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$.

The Orient

Decker Plaza, 1735 Decker Blvd., Columbia, SC 29206

(803) 738-0095

Chinese. Be sure to request The Orient's vegetarian menu, and you'll find Chinese Broccoli in Barbecue Sauce, Chinese Eggplant, tofu dishes, and more. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC/DISC, $$.

Greenville

India Palace

59 Liberty Ln., , Greenville, SC 29607

(864) 271-8875

Indian. India Palace serves vegetarian specialties including appetizers, curries, and vegetable and rice dishes. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Open Sunday for dinner. Full service, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Pita House

495 S. Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville, SC 29607

(864) 271-9895

Middle Eastern. Pita House offers excellent traditional Mediterranean vegetarian dishes, including hummus, baba ghanouj, falafel, fresh-baked pita bread, and a vegetarian plate. Cash only. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, $.

•• SWAD

1421 Laurens Rd., , Greenville, SC 29607

(864) 233-2089

Vegetarian/Indian. This vegetarian Indian restaurant offers friendly service and Bombay-style cooking, including samosas, rice dishes, and curry dishes. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Limited service, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $.

Myrtle Beach

New Life Natural Foods

1209 38th Ave. N., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

(843) 448-0011

3320 S. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

(843) 272-4436

3767 Renee Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC 29579

(843) 236-1950

Natural foods. This natural foods store and café offers a menu including Thai, Indian, and Vietnamese dishes, organic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, a hummus and veggie pita, a veggie burger, a Fakin' Bacon Sandwich, and grilled cheese sandwiches made of dairy, soy, or rice cheese. Open Monday through Saturday for three meals. Open Sunday for brunch. Counter service, vegan options, take-out, fresh juices, smoothies, $.

North Charleston

•• Soul Vegetarian South

3225A Rivers Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405

(843) 744-9975

Vegetarian. Considered a must for all visiting the area, this primarily vegan establishment serves great vegetarian versions of traditional soul cuisine. Highly recommended items include the Split Pea Soup, Carrot Salad Sandwich, Gyros, Pizzas, BBQ Kalebone, and Almond Ice Kream. Honey is used in the BBQ sauce and some drinks, but these are clearly marked on the menu. Open Monday through Friday for lunch. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, special drinks, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$.